The Nation Newspaper

Tag: Kelechi Igwe

  • Five killed in Ebonyi/Benue land dispute

    Five persons from Mgbo in Ebonyi local government area of Ebonyi State have been killed allegedly by their neighboring Agila people of Benue State.

    The killings, it was gathered, took place on Tuesday night when the people of Agila allegedly invaded two villages in Mgbo.

    The two border communities have been embroiled in a bitter land tussle spanning decades with many people killed.

    Gernor David Umahi who visited the scene of the incident on Wednesday expressed shock over the killings.

    Represented by the Deputy Governor, Dr Kelechi Igwe, the governor also paid a condolence visit to families of the affected persons at Ekwashi and Ukwagba communities.

    He condemned the ‘flagrant disregard’ to peace agreements entered into by the governments of both states.

    According to him, Ebonyi people have suffered incessant attacks from their neighbors in the recent times and appealed to the federal government to intervene before the people would resort to self defence.

    Mr Umahi also appealed to the people to remain calm and law abiding, assuring that government would ensure permanent resolution of the crisis.

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    The state Commissioner of Police, Musa Kimo promised that the situation has been brought under control.

    He appealed to the people of the area to remain calm and go about their lawful business.

    The chairman of Ohaukwu local government Council Barr Clement Odah told the governor that Benue people invaded the people of Ngbo despite peace agreement signed with Ado local government council few weeks ago.

    He lamented the incessant attack and called on Benue state government to call Agila people to order.

    The governor was accompanied by security chiefs including CP Musa Kimo and representatives of the Cantonment Commander, Major S Milla.

  • 7000 displaced in Ebonyi/Cross River boundary crisis’ – Official

    Over 7000 Igbeagu Izzi indigenes of Izzi local government area of Ebonyi State have so far been displaced following clashes between Izzi people and their Ukele, Cross River State neighbours .

    Also 1500 houses had been allegedlly destroyed in the area by millitia groups from the area.

    Chairman of Izzi LGA, Hon. Paul Nwogha stated this on Monday while briefing the Ebonyi State Deputy Governor, Kelechi Igwe on the crisis.

    Meanwhile so many displaced Izzi peesons were seen on Abakaliki-Ogoja highway trekking with their belongings to Abakaliki capital to seek refuge.

    The crisis between the two border communities had reignited last week leading to loss of lives and counter accusations by the two states governments over which side that started the attack.

    The Deputy Governor was on an assessment visit to the troubled area and also addeessed the displaced persons at Ndi- Akparata Nwenyi village in Igbeagu community in Izzi LGA where some of them had taken refuge.

    Mr Igwe directed the Cantonment Commander, Lt. Sa’aad Sadiq to immediately deploy more troops to the troubled zone to ensure the safety of both Ebonyians in Izzi and foreigners travelling along the Abakaliki-Ogoja trans Sahara highway.

    While appealing to Izzi people to maintain peace and order, Mr Igwe assured them that the State government would not fold its arm and watch Ebonyi people slaughtered.

    He further condemned the killing of human beings in the crisia which according to him remains sacred and should be held in high esteem by all and sundry irrespective of the issues at stake.

    The Deputy Governor’s convoy along with other security personnel including the Army, police and DSS took a ride along the Abakaliki-Ogoja trans Sahara highway to access the level of carnages meted out on Izzi people by the Cross River militia group.

    Chairman of Izzi LGA, Hon. Paul Nwogha who lamented over the level destruction in all the affected villages in Izzi community noted that most of the villages had been deserted as some of the displaced persons were still in dire need of refuge and relief materials.

    He appreciated the State government for coming to the aid of Izzi people adding that what is needed now is a holistic and sincere approach to the matter by both sides of the divide.

    According to him, no human beings or goat or chicken is seen within the affected community as everybody had ran away for safety.

    The Commander, Nwakgu Military Cantonment, Lt. Col. Sa’aad Sadiq stated that more troops had been deployed from Cross River and Abakaliki to quell the crisis.

    He called on the people of Izzi to cooperate with the peace process by attending security meetings intended to bring an end to the crisis.

    The Cantonment Commander assured the Izzi people of their safety as the military was working round the clock to bring lasting peace in both affected LGAs of Ebonyi and Cross River States.

    At time of filing this report, the Deputy Governor of Ebonyi State, Dr. Kelechi Igwe entered a security meeting with stakeholders of Izzi LGA and security personnel on how to peacefully resolve the inter communal clash between Ebonyi and Cross river States. Ends

  • Ebonyi commences sanitisation of ministries

    Ebonyi commences sanitisation of ministries

    The Ebonyi Government says it has commenced the sanitisation of its ministries to correct detected administrative flaws in the system.

    Dr Kelechi Igwe, the Deputy Governor, said this on Friday in Abakaliki while reacting to the dilapidated state of the multi-billion Naira international market built by the past administration in the state.

    Igwe led a delegation of government officials, opinion leaders and market associations, among others, to inspect the facility constructed in a swamp.

    “We have commenced the correction of ills in the ministries as it is saddening to have Ministries of Works, Housing and Survey involved in such a ruse.

    “These ministries have qualified engineers and surveyors to advise the past government as the project’s erection in such area is one of the worst things to happen to the state.

    “It is pertinent to note that if the officials failed to advise government, it was laxity on their part.

    “But if they did, it means the government was not responsible to listen to advice,” he said.

    He said that the tour of the edifice was to assuage the people’s anxiety over the delay in completing the project by the present administration.

    “The governor as a professional engineer will not embark on a project that will not add economic values to the state.

    “We have tried severally to relocate traders to the market but they have consistently told us that it was not habitable and conducive for business activities.

    “During the rainy season, flood will submerge goods and other property belonging to traders and even drown children around the area.

    “We want to assure the people that the era of government embarking on phantom projects was over; Government will never embark on projects without economic significance,” he said.

    Rev.Fr. Abraham Nwali, the Chairman of Christian Association of Nigeria ( CAN ) in the state, advised the state government not to abandon the project in the spirit of continuity.

    “The contractors handling the project should be re-instated if they are willing to complete it but should be made to refund the monies collected, if they are unwilling to continue.

    Mr Ugochukwu Akpa, Chairman, Association of Town Unions in the state, said the unions would besiege the homes of the contractors, to let them refund the money they collected from government.

    “We will stay by their doors and cry loudly for them to refund the money because it belongs to the entire state and should be utilised judiciously,” he said.

    Mr Eze Ogbonna, Chairman, Abakaliki Main Market Amalgamated Traders Association, said that traders would never relocate to the market until it became habitable and conducive for business.

    NAN

  • Ebonyi holds valedictory session for late Sen. Offia Nwali

    Ebonyi Government on Wednesday held a valedictory session for one of the founding fathers of the state, the late Sen. Offia Nwali.

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Nwali died on May 24, 2016, at the aged of 74 years.

    His corpse was found in a pond at the back of his building in his country home, Ameka, Ezza South Local Government Area of Ebonyi.

    Nwali was the first black man to obtain a Doctorate Degree (PhD) in Computer and Analytical Studies, from Harvard University, United States of America.

    He returned to Nigeria in 1972 and was appointed the Chairman, East Central State School Board.

    Nwali represented Abakaliki Senatorial District in the old Anambra at the National Assembly, between 1979—1983, and was the first individual to submit a written request for the creation of Ebonyi on Oct. 10, 1979.

    He also tested life’s major vicissitude when he lost his entire family in a Fokker 28-plane crash at the Enugu Airport in 1983.

    Gov. David Umahi, who presided over the session held inside the Government House Executive Chambers, described Nwali’s death as a ”monumental loss.”

    “His tragic death is a monumental loss to the state, Igbo race and Nigeria as his life was full of mysteries, embodied truth and commitment to the state’s cause.

    “The government would do all it can to keep his memory alive as all government officials must attend his wake-keep on Thursday and burial on Friday,” he said.

    Dr Kelechi Igwe, the state’s deputy governor, said that the present generation of politicians learnt a lot from Nwali.

    The Chief Judge of Ebonyi, Justice Alloy Nwankwo, described Nwali as the father of the state, who offered massive employment to citizens during his tenure as Chairman of the defunct East Central State School Board.

    “He was an embodiment of calmness, courage, among other virtues; he was the political pathfinder of the state and quintessential educationist,” he said.

    Sen. Obinna Ogba (PDP—Ebonyi Central), said that Nwali was an “epitome of truth, justice and fairness and his memory would linger forever in the minds of Ebonyi people.”

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) recalls that the Ebonyi House of Assembly had earlier held a valedictory sitting in honour of Nwali.

    A public lecture was also organised in his honour on Tuesday, where President of Ohaneze Ndigbo, Chief Nnia Nwodo delivered a keynote speech.